Faith gives pitcher the tools to succeed
WINNIPEG, MB—Winnipeg Goldeyes starting right-hander Andrew Walker was born in Long Beach, California and spent his childhood living all over the world.
His father—a member of the United States military—moved the family from California to the Philippines to Florida to New Mexico and eventually to Oklahoma. Walker, nicknamed "Ace," says he didn't get much of a Christian upbringing.
"I didn't grow up going to church," says Walker, the 2009 Northern League pitcher of the year. "My dad was Catholic; my mom never went to church. But when we got to Oklahoma, everything started to change."
Walker became a Christian as a 16-year-old at the Prague (Oklahoma) Assembly of God Church and in the 10 years since has "been in God's service."
"When we got to Oklahoma, I don't really know what it was, but mom decided she wanted to go to church again and she wanted me to be part of it," Walker explains. "We bounced around. We tried a lot of churches, but from the moment I walked into the Prague Assembly of God Church, I knew this was home. At 16, God grabbed a hold of me and hasn't let go."
All star
Walker, who will graduate from the University of Alabama this month with a degree in graphic design and minor in computer science, was named to Baseball America's All-Independent Leagues Second All-Star Team in 2009.
After going 9-4 with a 4.45 earned run average in 2008, Walker was lights out in 2009, leading the Northern League with 12 wins while his ERA dropped to 3.32. Although he had essentially the same number of appearances as he had in 2008, Walker's earned run total dropped from 60 to 55 in 2009 and his innings pitched rose from 121.1 to 149.0. He also led the league in complete games with six and was second in innings pitched.
But why? Why was Walker good in 2008, but spectacular in 2009?
"I think it's about the people Rick (manager Rick Forney) put around us," says Walker, who can be found before almost every Goldeyes game at Baseball Chapel with team chaplain Lorne Korol. "It wasn't just me, it was the entire pitching staff that benefited from the players Rick brought to Winnipeg. I thought I pitched pretty well, but not a lot better than I did in 2008. Our defense definitely made the difference for me."
Walker says the Goldeyes defense—especially the middle infield—was much better in 2009 was in 2008.
"That's why I was a better pitcher," he says.
Walker's way
He's probably being overly modest about his own abilities, but that's Walker's way. A quiet, unassuming 6-foot-1, 180-pounder, Walker is a small-town kid who treats everyone he meets with courtesy and respect. It's almost impossible not to like him.
He credits his polite, honest, laid-back approach to life to that first visit to the Prague Assembly of God church.
"I have a great pastor, Kevin Wehrli," Walker says. "Whenever he speaks, I pay attention. This isn't the prosperity doctrine; it's about the Bible and the word of God. Everything you do in life has consequences so you have to be responsible.
"The important thing that my church has taught me is that I'll always be loved. I look at the Bible as a series of guide posts, and if I get off the straight and narrow, I'll pay the price. My church gives me the tools to handle the trials that life sends. I'm very grateful."
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